“Akos” is the contact, information, co-ordination, dissemination point and will lead the SAMKURA project in Armenia

About SAMKURA:

The SAMKURA project lead by Cló and funded by the EACEA, is a trans-European art and culture exchange linking European limits. SAMKURA is the Georgian name for a small earth covering plant which has a leaf composed of a stem and three interconnected leaflets. This project visualizes the co-operation of cultures (Irish, Greek and Portuguese) represented by three leaves or ‘ears’, whose stem is connected to the Caucasus, represented by Georgia and Armenia. This project aims to create the conditions for understanding contemporary art as a language of cross-cultural communication. Research, development and dissemination of new art works take place in a context of a thematic artistic exchange focusing on cultural and linguistic specificity.

About: ClóCló Ceardlann na gCnoc (Cló) was founded in 1999 by artists Ian Joyce and Oona Hyland and is leading international artist workshop.(www.clo.ie ). Situated at Mín a’ Lea, a rural site at the heart of a Gaelic speaking area in Northwest County Donegal, Cló initiates creative and environmental projects inspired by the distinctive culture, language and natural environment of the Gaeltacht area of Co. Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. It provides a platform for creative exchange between artists and the Gaeltacht community in the wider context of a national and international programme. Cló publishes original prints, artist’s books, art catalogues, videos, artist’s films, CDs and DVDs.

“Akos” is the contact, information, co-ordination, dissemination point and will lead the SAMKURA project in Armenia. “Akos” will provide the support structure for convening of the SAMKURA Forum, through the provision of curatorial support in the form of speakers, specialists and art workers to facilitate the development of the SAMKURA themes, the accommodate of participants and the provision of workshop space for the purposes of preparing and curating large-scale works for SAMKURA.

“Akos” will present the first international Forum of SAMKURA which involves organizing conference in Yerevan, a tour of the region with the participants; artists, cultural workers and curators, an artist-in-residence and visitors programme, Galla diner and other parallel activites during one week.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Project Concept:SAMKURA is the name for a small earth covering plant which has a leaf composed of a stem and three interconnected leaflets. The name in its Georgian form suggests the image of “three ears connected together.

”SAMKURA visualises the co-operation of a constellation of cultures (Ireland, Greece and Portugal) represented by the three leaves or ‘ears’, whose stem is represented by Georgia and Armenia.

SAMKURA is a trans-European art and culture exchange linking European limits.

SAMKURA creates the conditions for understanding contemporary art as a language of cross-cultural communication. Research, development and dissemination of new art works will take place in a context of a thematic artistic exchange focusing on cultural and linguistic specificity.The lead organization Cló will be responsible for providing the practical support for the production of art works in the context of an artist-in-residence program that will take place in Ireland, Portugal and Georgia. Cló invite a leading institution for contemporary Art in Greece to support the professional development of SAMKURA through sponsoring an international forum that will provide the curatorial structure for an exhibition and publication in Georgia and Armenia.Participating artists will be selected through agreement of the co-partners and will be drawn from all 5 participating countries with a minimum of 4 participants from each of the participating EU states with 4 from the combined ENP countries (Armenia and Georgia).

The structure of SAMKURA provides for:1. Thematic research and exchange. (Forum)2. Practical development of art works. (International artist-in-residence )3. Dessimination through documentation and audience participation (Publication and exhibition in selected 3rd countries)

SAMKURA:Intercultural Dialogue, Symposium/Forum

"Common and uncommon etymologies”

The languages in question are Gaelic, Greek, Portuguese, Georgian and Armenian. The image of SAMKURA emphasises commonly expressed linguistic theories that suggest Greek, Latin, Gaelic and the modern languages of the Caucasus radiate from a common source in central Asia. The common roots of highly distinctive and separate languages also imply the connections between the European Geographical limits represented by the project. Art and Artists interested in the possibilities of contemporary Art as a medium of cultural exchange are given access to a curatorial structure which encourages linguistic, etymological and cultural research. In addition to common symbols, images, concepts and constructs associated with language dispersion, growth, displacement and change will be also be explored as inspiration for Art.

Innovation and CreativityResearchinto "Technology of Art" as the means to making art works. This connected theme is concerned with identifying continuities which can exist between contemporary forms of technology and ancient forms of art production. In particular SAMKURA will focus on the history of graphic art and print making in relation to contemporary digital media. Cló provide a workshop and media lab offering a continuum between traditional print media (etching, lithography, photography) and new media (video, sound and digital media). Artists are encouraged to make works that explore these continuities through innovation and creativity.

Trans National Mobility:SAMKURA envisages an artist-in-residence programme that involves the mobility of all participants. Within a 2-year framework participants from Greece will be provided with periods of residence in Ireland, Portugal and Georgia.Irish and Portuguese artists will participate in residencies in their respective countries and in Georgia. Artists from the ENP countries will participate in residencies in Ireland. In addition the international Forum/Symposium will involve the mobility of all participants.

Circulation of artistic and Cultural Works and Products:Over 50% of the work of SAMKURA takes place in Georgia and Armenia with the combination of residencies, exhibition and publication.Each of the residency locations (Ireland, Portugal and Georgia) will also involve the circulation of the artistic and cultural works and products of the project through associated partners which will sponsor exhibitions of the works produced by the participants.